WilfulFire

On our department all rape patients with "minimal injuries" are taken to a hospital that has a specialized counselor on duty. That trip can take half an hour or more in bad traffic and weather. Since we are often on scene while the police are interviewing the victim we often have a large portion of our history completed before transport is even initiated. Sure, taking that half hour trip to sit quietly and finish our report means less work at the end of the shift, but I have found that most of my patients are grateful for a break in the silence. I ask them how they are holding up. I ask them if they want to talk about what they are feeling. I let them know that what just happened was not their fault (even a prostitute can be raped) and that feeling angry is okay. I let them know that it is okay to cry in front of me if that is what they need to do. It's not an easy conversation, and if I never have another one as long as I live it will be too soon, but most women, I've found are grateful for the human interaction after such a traumatic event. Yes, I realize that as a woman I appear less threatening in such situations, but if you remember to treat your patient the way you would want to be treated (even if medical care is not required) you are doing the right thing.

In 1865 Dr. Samuel Mudd was sentenced to life in prison for setting the broken leg of a man named John Wilkes Booth. He was granted a full pardon and released three years later by Andrew Johnson. While he may not have been aware of what Booth had done, there can be no question that he did the right thing by treating his patient. As medics we are not allowed to judge who does and does not deserve our services. Would you deny CPR to the local junkie? What about the embezzler that cheated hundreds our of retirement and benefits? Or the shooter who just took out his entire family (including 3 kids) but missed his own brain when he turned the gun on himself? While there is no question that Bin Laden is the worst of the worst we are not permitted to judge our patients. Where would you draw the line? I agree that there are some people in this world that, in my opinion, deserve to die. Without hesitation. But I don't feel qualified to act upon that decision.

On the IHERN describing a pt suffering a hypertensive crisis: "Patient is on several meds including albuterol, lasix, and meptro... metrpo... merp... {sigh} LOPRESSOR!" Still haven't lived that one down, and I still can't pronounce metoprolol.

I was actually a latecomer to EMS. I did the college route, majored in music (focusing on composition and piano) and got my teaching certificate. I spent 2 years teaching band, choir, drama, and general music to grades K-12. I learned two things. 1. EMS is much less stressful than being a music/drama director. 2. Paramedic school is much harder than college ever was. Go figure.

I'm not so sure this was a case of the NR rep not knowing his job. I think it may have been a case of an NR rep trying to cut a paramedic candidate a break and give a girl another chance...the question is how will it turn out?

All you need is 2 pairs gloves, company and personal communications equipment, shears, your stethoscope (kept in a leg pocket), a flashlight, and a really good pen. If I'm in the ER I usually have my scope over my shoulder. Left in the rig it WILL get stolen, and I don't put it back in my pocket until its been properly sanitized and prepared for its next use. Once I'm wearing gloves, nothing goes back into my pockets without some cleaning.